While there has been a massive improvement in the economy over the last two years, with many more consumers entering the property market for the first time, the current financial environment is not without its challenges. Read a full story below.

It has also been reported that
listed property in South Africa has out-performed the equity and the bond markets by a wide margin over the past 15 years, but many investors in multi-asset (or balanced) funds did not benefit as much as they could have done from the extended bull run. For a full story, read an article titled Investors in balanced funds lost out on listed property boom.

In an article titled Credit Amnesty Bill grants the opportunity for a clean slate, Craig Hutchison, CEO of Engel & Völkers Southern Africa reports that that the new Credit Amnesty Bill was received with much anticipation and expectation especially for many South Africans living with a track record of unpaid debt. Continue reading this story below.

We then take a closer look at Hermanus, an official Whale Watching Capital of the World. Did you know that the residents of Hermanus fought strongly for their hometown to remain a sleepy, quaint seaside village rather than succumb to the modernization that happening in neighbouring area and that Hermanus is the only town in the world that has a train station but never had a train stopping at it or departing from it? For more interesting facts about Hermanus, see the Focus On Section of this Newsletter.

The South African residential property market is at last showing signs of a healthy recovery, having slowly but steadily recuperated from the recession of 2008...

Investors in balanced funds lost out on listed property boom

Listed property in South Africa has out-performed the equity and the bond markets by a wide margin over the past 15 years, but many investors in multi-asset (or balanced) funds did not benefit as much as they could have done from the extended bull run...

New property owners held liable for defaulters’ dues

The City of Tshwane Metropolitan Municipality (CTMM) recently refused to supply basic municipal services, such as electricity and water to a wheelchair-bound Fredah Kekana, a Tshwane homeowner...

Credit Amnesty Bill grants the opportunity for a clean slate

The new Credit Amnesty Bill was received with much anticipation and expectation. Especially for many South Africans living with a track record of unpaid debt...

Are you sabotaging your own house sale?

According to a recent OLX survey conducted across social media in South Africa, 37% say they cannot park cars in their garage because it is so "full of stuff"...

Property the Gateway to a Better Life

Property has been, and remains the best way for the average South African to accumulate wealth - a fact recently supported by Mmusi Maimane, the DA's candidate for Premier of Gauteng...

The South African residential property marketing sector must “latch onto” the reality that the number of tourists to this country is increasing dramatically – and this will open up a new market for home sellers...

Options for distressed homeowners

While there has been a massive improvement in the economy over the last two years, with many more consumers entering the property market for the first time, the current financial environment is not without its challenges...

Deadline for REIM May 2014

Property Transfers by month for the last 12 months (2013-04-01 to 2014-03-31). Stats include SA's average, top city and suburb stats...

Getting your garden ready for Winter

Winter is upon us. For many it could be a drab, cold time of the year but others welcome the crisp mornings with warm sunrays peeping and sliding into their home...

Containerise your Vegetable Garden

Over the last few seasons the idea of home grown vegetables and herbs has developed from a mere trend or passing fancy; to a conscientious effort to actually produce some of the fresh vegetables and herbs we enjoy to cook and bake with, in our kitchens...

Welcome to Hermanus, an official Whale Watching Capital of the World. Other than being a lively hub of all year activities in the Western Cape Province, this South African coastal city is the best land based whale watching in the world...>> View properties in Hermanus

In The Area

The areas we are going to take a closer look at this week are;

Eastern Cape

Nigeria

Eastern Cape market sparkles

The property market in the 'Jewel of the Eastern Cape" - the triangle between Humansdorp, Jeffreys Bay and St Francis Bay - has been increasingly buoyant since the last quarter of 2013...

Despite recent improvements and innovations in terms of technology that have been introduced in land administration in some parts of Nigeria, the whole process is still lacking in speed, convenience and relative cheapness, compared to what obtains in other parts of the world...

"This is not advice. Clients should not act solely
on the basis of the material contained in this newsletter. Items herein
are general comments only and do not convey advice per se. Also changes
in legislation may occur quickly. We therefore recommend that formal advice
be sought before acting in any of these areas."